Steve B the Groundhopper

7pm  5 June 2013 Manchester County FA, Under 18 County Cup Final at Ayrshire Road (Manchester United training ground) Altrincham U18 1 Stockport Vikings U18 0 (att 200) I thought my football season had ended with Saturday's visit to Thorniewood, but that was before I was alerted to the Manchester FA's delayed youth cup final, at the unusual venue of Manchester United's training ground at Ayrshire Road. These days the ground, with its pristine pitches, is mainly used by United's young academy teams. Despite it's urban location, just two miles from my home, its setting next to the River Irwell gives it quite a rural feel, at least if you stand with your back to the terraced houses. The game had a lively start, with Altrincham having the better of the early exchanges and taking a deserved first half lead. I expected them to turn out easy winners after that, but they rather lost their way after scoring, and with Vikings unable to capitalise it became a bit scra...

2pm  1 June 2013 SJFA West Region, Super League, Division One Thorniewood United 2 Kello Rovers 1 (att 79) Nothing much to play for, unless you suspend reality and think Kello had any chance of escaping relegation by winning their final two games by a combined margin of 18 goals. They didn't help their lost cause by having a penalty saved in the 23rd minute, the closest we came to a goal in the opening half. Thorniewood, destined to finish fourth whatever happened, had looked the better side, and they scored twice early in the second half to take control. The game was entertaining without being thrilling, and Kello deserved their stoppage time consolation. Back in January, while Robertson Park was unplayable due to the weather, I saw Thorniewood play a home cup tie indoors at Ravenscraig, so it was nice to visit the club's proper home today. The ground, in Uddingston, is typical for the Scottish Juniors in that it's quirky and looks well looked after. Spectator...